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Skin Cancer Statistics

Out of the three types of skin cancer, melanoma is the most dangerous and if not caught early could be fatal. Australia has one of the highest rates of melanoma cases in the world. Here is some important statistics (ref: Melanoma Institute Australia, Cancer Council, SunSmart).

Nodular melanoma is an especially dangerous form of melanoma. It appears as a new small round lump. It may be pink, red, black or brown in colour. It grows very quickly and can become life threatening in six to eight weeks.

Skin cancer makes up around 80% of all diagnosed cancers

2 out of every 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of 70

Melanoma is the most common cancer in young people (15 – 39 years old)

Melanoma kills more young people than any other cancer (20 – 39 years old)

Every 5 hours one person in Australia will die from melanoma

More than 90,000 skin cancers are treated in Victoria every year

Twice as many Victorians die from skin cancer than road toll

Melanoma makes up 2% of all skin cancers but causes 75% of all death from skin cancers